Read The Wall

By Geoffery *

In North Eastern (NE) region of India; three states that remain in news more for the wrongs than the rights are; Assam, Nagaland & Manipur.

Statistics may tell a different story of either rise or fall in the violent incidents vis a vis the corresponding period last year. Lately the apprehension of masses in these states and remarks of the CM of Assam are something to the noted and reckoned. People seem to have lost their fortitude & forbearance of UG activities.

Assam CM, Tarun Gogoi while inviting banned United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) said, "People don't want an independent Assam (as demanded by ULFA) and gradually the group is losing its popularity and importance". APW (Assam People Work an organization of kith and kin of ULFA cadres) had also carried out a similar survey and concluded that people did not want sovereignty.

Reacting to this ULFA had carried out a carnage in Tinsukia since violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. It is amazing that PCG (Peace Consultative Group) member, a noted writer, Ms Mamoni Raisom Goswami still advocates sovereignty demand of the outfit. This depicts nothing but disconnect of the personality with realities.

In Nagaland on 11 Apr 08 villagers of Ketsapo under Phek district chased away the cadres of NNC (Naga National Council (accordist) to rescue the Village Council Chairman & secretary of Village Development Board from abduction. Villagers braved only with traditional weapons (daos and spears) against the sophisticated AK rifles of miscreants.

Even the firing of rifle shots by the activists did not frighten the chasers. Against the rise of disturbances caused by inter factional clashes, extortions, highway robberies, rape, district administration of Phek, backed by SFs, NGOs and local public have adopted a Zero Tolerance resolution against any faction out to disturb peace in the district.

Well done? District administration deserves kudos for a step which is its bounden duty. Reactions of people against the rape of three young women and looting of passengers at Chakabama from a Melluri bound bus is another incident. Residents of Dimapur have given a strong message to militants for increased violence of late.

In Manipur (most disturbed state) cries of people against the killing of two anal women at Herirok (Thoubal), rape and murder of Santibala ( a widow) are not over when there is a revolt against the killing of a 55 year old man of Lalong Chajing Loukon under Police Station Sangjamei.

The man was killed (24 Apr 08) in front of his own son despite the pleadings by the young boy. One of the women demonstrators said, "It was an act of very cruel people killing the man in front of his own son. Apart from this he was a man living from hand to mouth ".

It is generally seen that the UGs blame on the deceased person to safeguard themselves. Secretary of Joint Action Committee (JAC) L, Meipak said, "We will not agree with any fault assigned to the deceased as it has become a habit in our society" (Imphal Free Press 25 Apr 08).

Similarly, SDSA (Senapati District student Association i.e. Maram student's union, Mao students union, Poumei student union, Zeliangrong student union and Thangal student union) has called for an appropriate action against thrashing (on 23 Apr 08) of three prominent citizens (who are also members of management committee of Rosary School) by UG activists.

They also said "Schools wherever they are located is a place of education and threats of any kind by any organisation especially in the form of financial demands is nothing less than asking the institution to close down (Sangai Express 25 Apr 08). Council members of local bodies have submitted resignation to CM protesting against the demands of UGs (Manipur Mail datelined 29 Apr 08). Abheisham Pishak (41) has been lynched by locals in Imphal for raping an eleven year old girl.

These are some of the incidents fresh in our minds. There had been very many in the past where in UGs had targeted financial institutions like banks, educational institutions and health sector causing uncalled for difficulties to the public.

From the foregoing one can make out that UGs have no concern either for the old or the young, the mothers, sisters or daughters, health and development of the social system but making easy money. Probably the effect of water drying up (public support) in the pond (society) is being felt by the fish (UGs) as well.

Recently on its foundation day KYKL Chairman, Taijam Achou reflectively said, " The attitude of the revolution of the UG groups are also degenerating and today they have taken to money making through government contract work, kidnapping for ransom or else demanding cuts from public and private funds". He also said, "To make easy money one of the methods is for a few people to get together, buy a few arms and form an underground group and then being an extortion business".

This is true for all outfits. Chairman of NSCN (IM) Isak Swu has also conceded to adoption of Zero Tolerance against rampant indiscipline of the cadres. Noted parliamentarian PA Sangma was not wrong. When he said, "Insurgency has become a cottage industry in North East India".

Now is the time for every one to read the writing on the wall. Leaders and Bureaucrats have to assume visible accountability for good governance. People have to continue the stand against violence to trade for much eluded peace.

Why physically able militants can not learn from socially disabled Pradeep (37) who (detected HIV positive in 2000) became was crowned Mr Manipur in Jan 2008. He said, "I want to show how much an HIV positive person can do? UGs need to listen to the voice of the people and join the main stream for safer, better and progressive life for themselves as well as for the society they claim to represent and fight for. Otherwise the sharp edge enjoyed by them (UGs of wielding sophisticated weapons) over hapless citizens will be blunted by the Active WILL of the PEOPLE.

"Without civic morality communities perish and without personal morality their survival has no value"
- Bertrand Russel